Common

This was going to have to be his last trip to the Crossing for a while. Fell’s winter coat had finally filled out under the weight of the fierce Tinuvel cold, but under it, the Marwari stallion’s muscles were tense and fatigued. How did band stallions do this so frequently? How was he supposed to protect his herd and bring in new members? Had he not chosen the Northernmost island to call his home, he might have been satisfied with an empty territory; but the Bay, unfortunately, was very cold this time of year. One or two other bodies helped soften the bitterness of the season, but he would not let his small herd go cold if he could help it. The more he could add to his meager collection of body heat, the better.

But damn it, he was tired. Whether or not he came back from this trip empty-handed, Fell was not going to be making this swim again any time soon. He would do more good for the Bay herd in the Bay itself than floundering around in the frigid ocean, wearing himself thin and probably pissing off the Lagoon bachelors.

He pulled himself onto the shore of the Commons with a grunt and a half-hearted shake to rid himself of seawater. It was not nearly as cold here as it was on Tinuvel, so he didn’t mind the dampness that remained in his thick fur, and he was really too tired to thoroughly shake himself out.

As the heavy, sodden locks flew out of his face, Fell saw that he was not alone on the beach. A figure was kneeling on the rough, stony sand, and Fell watched as it clambered upright and began to make its way inland. He began to follow, hauling himself out of the sand with similar difficulty, although he had managed not to fall to his knees.

As he caught up, he became aware that it was a mare he was following, and she was much smaller than he had thought at first in the dim light. She had a draft build, but he still felt as though he towered over her as he approached, whistling quietly to announce himself. Normally, he might have spun her and himself around and plunged them right back into the sea, but the beast that drove such aggression in Fell was just as tired as he was. He was also acutely aware that he was going to have a very hard time getting home if he left immediately, and he was also not blind to the fact that this mare was even worse off than he was. No, he could not force her to swim back to Bay with him tonight — but if she rested and warmed up a bit, he might be able to bring her back in the morning.

Maybe you’re not so much of a failure, he thought to himself. At least this time.

His steps felt leaden as he stepped up beside the russet-colored mare. With no voice, Fell still had to be bold in his actions to get his point across, but he was far too tired for his usual angst to fuel him. He did not feel the need to be nearly as violent or threatening as he usually tried to be, but he still wasn’t sure how to interact with someone without being those things. Still, he didn’t really have another option, so he just… stood next to her, and held still, and hoped his message was clear enough in the presence of his body heat and posture. He kept his head low and tilted his face in her direction, curled ears pressed forward so that their tips met in a dark halo above his tired face.

FELL

stallion. 16hh. black. marwari x. Rougaru x visurix.